Microsoft Surface RT prices appear: $499 with no Touch Cover, $599 with it

Microsoft Surface RT prices have leaked out. The 10.6-inch tablet designed and made by Microsoft will cost as much as the iPad. Prices start at $499 for the most basic 32GB version, but that won’t buy you that neat Touch Cover keyboard dock. For a dock-equipped Surface, you’d need to shell out $100 more, bringing the total to $599.

The 10.6-inch Surface comes with a paltry “HD” resolution that is likely to be 1366 x 768 pixels. And that just doesn’t compare well with the third-gen iPad and its whopping 2048 x 1536-pixel screen and thousands of apps.

Here is how the prices for Windows RT Microsoft Surface tablets break down:

32GB Microsoft Surface RT without Touch Cover - $499

32GB Microsoft Surface RT with Touch Cover - $599

64GB Microsoft Surface RT without Touch Cover - $599

64GB Microsoft Surface RT with Touch Cover - $699

So it goes in a direct battle with the iPad. The advantages? It’s got that vapor-deposited (PVD) magnesium case in a 9.3mm thin body weighing only 1.5lbs, and featuring a built-in kickstand.

The touch cover alone would sell for $119, and the type cover with hardware keys will retail for $129.

So there you have it - if you still had hopes that the Surface would be the cheap option, you can finally put those to rest. Is that really competitive? And will it stand a chance against the iPad? Microsoft is bullish and is said to have ordered 3 to 5 million for the Holiday quarter. Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.